And another one bites the dust. The visual voice-mail company YouMail has decided to part ways with BlackBerry. YouMail was recently updated to version 2.7.8 with many improvements to including the ability to ditch callers, new faster UI, and even completely removed ads from within the app. However despite, all of these improvements and bug fixes CEO Alex Quilici stated the release was "bittersweet", and that they were suspending doing and further work on the BlackBerry app.

The reasoning behind this decision was that lack of BlackBerry users using the app. YouMail is listed among the top ten app in the productivity section of BlackBerry App World. Still, Quilici mentioned that his company has seen a steady decline with BlackBerry users over the past year. According to Quilici those users have moved to other mobile platforms like the iPhone and Android.

YouMail has been a popular app among BlackBerry users. However, its exodus from BlackBerry leaves some concerns regarding the user base for BlackBerry apps. RIM has been actively interacting with developers over the past year to expand the native applications for its line of BlackBerry devices, and to provide to them the necessary tools to create high quality apps. Still, will there be enough interest in BB10?

In the long-run the user base dictates whether or not a company will invest in making apps for a device. RIM may see an increase in independent developers, but what about larger development firms that have multiple apps? Will they see enough financial interest to move or keep developing for BlackBerry devices?

The good news is that events like BB JAM, help RIM with developer relations and interest. RIM's upcoming BlackBerry World 2012 is coming up soon and it will be interesting what some of the keynote speakers have to say about the current state of BlackBerry. This is going to be a pivotal year for RIM and its user base, and one can only hope that they will remain faithful to BlackBerry.